Filling Tresiba® (insulin degludec) prescriptions: What you need to know
Tresiba® is a once-daily, long-acting insulin indicated to improve glycemic control in patients 1 year of age and older with diabetes mellitus.1 Tresiba® comes in 3 administration options: Tresiba® FlexTouch® U-100, Tresiba® FlexTouch® U-200, and a U-100 10-mL vial.1
Use tabs below to see more information about each administration option.
Concentration
100 units/mL
Pens per package
5
Volume per pen
3 mL
Units of insulin per pen
300 units
Units of insulin per package
1500 units
Max dose per injection
80 units
Dose increment
1 unit
NDC number
0169-2660-15
Concentration
100 units/mL
Pens per package
5
Volume per pen
3 mL
Units of insulin per pen
300 units
Units of insulin per package
1500 units
Max dose per injection
80 units
Dose increment
1 unit
NDC number
0169-2660-15
Don’t forget to order NovoFine® Plus disposable needles. The 32G, 4-mm pen needle is Novo Nordisk’s shortest and thinnest needle available.a
aNeedles are sold separately and may require a prescription in some states.
Concentration
200 units/mL
Pens per package
3
Volume per pen
3 mL
Units of insulin per pen
600 units
Units of insulin per package
1800 units
Max dose per injection
160 units
Dose increment
2 units
NDC number
0169-2550-13
Concentration
200 units/mL
Pens per package
3
Volume per pen
3 mL
Units of insulin per pen
600 units
Units of insulin per package
1800 units
Max dose per injection
160 units
Dose increment
2 units
NDC number
0169-2550-13
Don’t forget to order NovoFine® Plus disposable needles. The 32G, 4-mm pen needle is Novo Nordisk’s shortest and thinnest needle available.b
bNeedles are sold separately and may require a prescription in some states.
Concentration
100 units/mL
Vials per package
1 vial
Volume per vial
10 mL
Units of insulin per vial
1000 units
NDC number
0169-2662-11
Concentration
100 units/mL
Vials per package
1 vial
Volume per vial
10 mL
Units of insulin per vial
1000 units
NDC number
0169-2662-11
An option for patients who prefer vials or children who require fewer than 5 units a day.
Eligible patients pay as little as $25 or no more than $99 per prescriptionc
Direct patients to TresibaSavings.com to get a savings card ›
See all the Tresiba® affordability offerings at NovoCare.com
How to use the Tresiba® FlexTouch®
Help your patients learn how to use Tresiba® FlexTouch® U-100 and U-200 by directing them to these easy-to-follow videos that introduce them to the pen and illustrate how they can administer Tresiba®.
Other facts about Tresiba®1:
Injected subcutaneously once daily and, for adults, at any time of day
- Instruct adult patients who miss a dose of Tresiba® to inject their daily dose during waking hours upon discovering the missed dose, then continue with their regular dosing schedule
- Tresiba® must be dosed at the same time each day for pediatric patients. Instruct pediatric patients who miss a dose of Tresiba® to contact their health care provider for guidance and to monitor blood glucose levels more frequently until the next scheduled dose
- Instruct adult patients to ensure that at least 8 hours have elapsed between consecutive Tresiba® injections
The recommended time between dose increases is 3 to 4 days
- No dose conversion needed
Opened (in-use) Tresiba® can be kept at room temperature (below 86°F), away from direct heat and light, or refrigerated (36°F to 46°F) for 56 days (8 weeks)
- The dose window for the Tresiba® FlexTouch® U-100 and U-200 pens shows the number of units to be delivered
- The vial offers an option for patients who prefer vials or children who require fewer than 5 units a day
Leading a healthier life with diabetes can be tough, but Cornerstones4Care® is here to help
Your patients have the option to speak with a Diabetes Health Coach who is ready to assist them by phone, text, or email, on a schedule that’s convenient for them! Their Health Coach can:
- Answer questions one on one
- Provide healthy eating ideas and tips to help your patients stay strong
- Help your patients stay motivated to set and reach their goals
Encourage patients taking Tresiba® to register for support at Tresiba.com
Indications and Usage for Tresiba® (insulin degludec) injection 100 U/mL, 200 U/mL
Tresiba® (insulin degludec) injection is indicated to improve glycemic control in patients 1 year of age and older with diabetes mellitus.
Limitations of Use
Tresiba® is not recommended for treating diabetic ketoacidosis.
Important Safety Information
Contraindications
- Tresiba® is contraindicated during episodes of hypoglycemia and in patients with hypersensitivity to Tresiba® or one of its excipients
Warnings and Precautions
- Never Share a Tresiba® FlexTouch® Pen, Needle, or Syringe Between Patients, even if the needle is changed. Patients using Tresiba® vials should never share needles or syringes with another person. Sharing poses a risk for transmission of blood-borne pathogens
- Hyperglycemia or Hypoglycemia with Changes in Insulin Regimen: Changes in an insulin regimen (e.g., insulin strength, manufacturer, type, or injection site or method of administration) may affect glycemic control and predispose to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Repeated insulin injections into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis have been reported to result in hyperglycemia; and a sudden change in the injection site (to an unaffected area) has been reported to result in hypoglycemia. Make any changes to a patient’s insulin regimen under close medical supervision with increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring. Advise patients who have repeatedly injected into areas of lipodystrophy or localized cutaneous amyloidosis to change the injection site to unaffected areas and closely monitor for hypoglycemia. Adjustments in concomitant anti-diabetic treatment may be needed.
- Hypoglycemia is the most common adverse reaction of insulin, including Tresiba®, and may be life-threatening. Increase monitoring with changes to: insulin dose, co-administered glucose lowering medications, meal pattern, physical activity; and in patients with hypoglycemia unawareness or renal or hepatic impairment
- Accidental mix-ups between basal insulin products and other insulins, particularly rapid-acting insulins, have been reported. To avoid medication errors, always instruct patients to check the insulin label before each injection
- Severe, life-threatening, generalized allergy, including anaphylaxis, can occur with insulin products, including Tresiba®
- As with all insulins, Tresiba® use can lead to life-threatening hypokalemia, which then may cause respiratory paralysis, ventricular arrhythmia, and death. Closely monitor potassium levels in patients at risk of hypokalemia and treat if indicated
- Fluid retention and heart failure can occur with concomitant use of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), which are PPAR-gamma agonists, and insulin, including Tresiba®. Patients should be observed for signs and symptoms of heart failure. If heart failure occurs, dosage reduction or discontinuation of the TZD must be considered
Adverse Reactions
- Adverse reactions commonly associated with Tresiba® are hypoglycemia, allergic reactions, injection site reactions, lipodystrophy, pruritus, rash, edema, and weight gain
Drug Interactions
- There are certain drugs that may cause clinically significant drug interactions with Tresiba®.
- Drugs that may increase the risk of hypoglycemia: antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analog (e.g., octreotide), sulfonamide antibiotics, GLP-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors, and SGLT-2 inhibitors
- Drugs that may decrease the blood glucose lowering effect: atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones
- Drugs that may increase or decrease the blood glucose lowering effect: alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, lithium salts, and pentamidine
- Drugs that may blunt the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia: beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine
Please click here for Tresiba® Prescribing Information.
Reference:
- Tresiba [package insert]. Plainsboro, NJ: Novo Nordisk Inc; November 2019.